The Favor I Found to be True!

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who
mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61(NLT)

Nearly forty years ago I made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I heard the report – I believed the report – and I received the report – that Christ came to take away my sins and give me a new life. I was told if I would read the Bible – in it I would find good news -news of how to live a life free of oppression and live a life a joy!

If anyone needed this message I did. Living twenty-one years in a world of chaos and confusion that I had not made, but inherited – I saw the world through pretty dark lens. A spirit of sadness hovered over me, because it seemed like even times when I would experience happiness (like when I graduated from college) that another overwhelming problem arose in my family that took that happiness away. It had been like that for so long that I didn’t believe it would ever change. Pain and sorrow were my constant companions – not that I purposely tried to let that show – no, quite the opposite – I had what I felt were many good friends, I was as some would describe, a “party animal” – with a full social life – parties every week-end, dancing, drinking, loud laughter. Underneath however, I longed for something that I didn’t know existed – I longed for truth – I didn’t want to wear a mask – I didn’t want to despise my life – I wanted to see the members of my family live happy lives.

And then, Jesus came and “He took the gloom and filled my life with glory -and all was changed when Jesus came to stay!” In fact, if I
ever heard the voice of God – (and I have many times) I heard so clearly one day at the altar – “if you will serve me, I will save your family.”

God knew my greatest heart desire and He gave me a promise that I held on to -it was worth more than money to me, it was worth more than my education, it was worth more than my friends -and why do I say that? Because in every one of these points I was tested – I had to learn to live a life of faith in a world where my education had no value, and all the friends that I had “partied with” for years – became a distant memory – God brought me out, to bring me in!

Today is my birthday – and my greatest desire is still the same – to live a life free of oppression – only now that oppressive spirit does not gain victory over me – God has granted me such peace, such joy, and an ability to know how to fight the devils that attack my soul. Now my greatest desire is no longer for me, it is for others to know Him as I do. To know that indeed the Lord’s favor has come! We don’t have to live a life of poverty, we don’t have to be brokenhearted, we don’t have to be prisoners enslaved by either visible or invisible forces that keep us from enjoying the blessings of this life!

I want to testify this day that He has given me beauty for the ashes I once knew; He has replaced a praise deep inside of me for the spirit of mourning that used to be my constant companion. And best of all, family member after family member has found His grace and His love and His mercy at the altar of their salvation! God is faithful to keep His promises, He has done for me “exceedingly and abundantly above all that I could have asked for or even thought” – “My cup runneth over…”

I want to encourage those of you today who are struggling with loved ones who refuse to allow God’s grace to change their life – don’t give up! Press into God’s word – it has been life and breath for me – He is faithful! He keeps His promises! The “time of the Lord’s favor has come! Receive it this day in Jesus name!

God Bless You,
Maria